I have not heard of anyone doing that - the winch thing.

What you will find as the main tire-size limiting factor is as you go
bigger...
you're start running into the problem of the tire rubbing against the
steering shaft that runs by there on the driver's side .

I suppose someone could try to mount their big tire more to the
passenger's side to compensate.
could be an inch or two to be gained that way.

On 8/11/2012 9:10 AM, Harry Hoffman wrote:
>
> Hi All,
> So I'm planning a move to 17" wheels. I'd like to carry a full spare,
> but from reading the archives realize that it won't fit in the holder.
> Has anyone modified that area to adopt a truck/SUV model where I
> winch/pulley raises and lowers the spare?
>
> Cheers,
> Harry
>